King James Version

What Does Matthew 24:2 Mean?

Matthew 24:2 in the King James Version says “And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upo...” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

Matthew 24:2 · KJV

Context

1

And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.

2

And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

3

And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately , saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

4

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

Read Matthew 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down (οὐ μὴ ἀφεθῇ ὧδε λίθος ἐπὶ λίθον)—The emphatic double negative (οὐ μή) makes this prophecy absolute and unavoidable. Jesus predicts total destruction, fulfilled precisely when Titus's Roman legions sacked Jerusalem in AD 70. Josephus records that soldiers pried apart stones to extract gold that had melted between them when Romans set the temple aflame.

This echoes Micah 3:12 ("Zion shall be plowed as a field") and demonstrates Jesus's prophetic authority. The phrase katalyō (thrown down) is the same word used when Jesus said, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" (John 2:19)—speaking of his body. The physical temple's destruction validated the spiritual temple's resurrection.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Romans besieged Jerusalem from April to September AD 70. Josephus reports that 1.1 million Jews died and 97,000 were taken captive. The temple was burned on the 9th of Av (Tisha B'Av), the same calendar date Babylon destroyed Solomon's temple in 586 BC. Only portions of the retaining walls remain today, including the Western Wall. Eusebius and later historians confirm no stone of the temple proper remained upon another.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the AD 70 fulfillment of this prophecy authenticate Jesus as a true prophet according to Deuteronomy 18:21-22?
  2. What does God's willingness to destroy his own temple teach about his priorities regarding heart worship versus ritual?
  3. How should the certainty of this fulfilled prophecy increase our confidence in Jesus's still-future prophecies?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
ὁ1 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ2 of 23

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

Ἰησοῦς3 of 23

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

εἶπεν4 of 23

“said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτοῖς5 of 23

“unto them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

οὐ6 of 23

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

βλέπετε7 of 23

“See ye”

G991

to look at (literally or figuratively)

πάντα8 of 23

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ταῦτα9 of 23

“these things”

G5023

these things

ἀμὴν10 of 23

“verily”

G281

properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)

λέγω11 of 23

“I say”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

ὑμῖν12 of 23

“unto you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

οὐ13 of 23

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

μὴ14 of 23
G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ἀφεθῇ15 of 23

“There shall”

G863

to send forth, in various applications (as follow)

ὧδε16 of 23

“here”

G5602

in this same spot, i.e., here or hither

λίθον17 of 23

“another”

G3037

a stone (literally or figuratively)

ἐπὶ18 of 23

“upon”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

λίθον19 of 23

“another”

G3037

a stone (literally or figuratively)

ὃς20 of 23

“that”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

οὐ21 of 23

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

μὴ22 of 23
G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

καταλυθήσεται23 of 23

“be thrown down”

G2647

to loosen down (disintegrate), i.e., (by implication) to demolish (literally or figuratively); specially (compare g2646) to halt for the night

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 24:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 24:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 19:44Jeremiah 26:18Ezekiel 7:20-22Micah 3:121 Kings 9:7-8Daniel 9:26-27

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